First Phantom Project at 672 Higuera Street, San Luis Obispo

Normally I don’t get to the juried art exhibits before the artist receptions where the awards are announced. But I happened to get to the first Phantom Project exhibit on opening day today, and the reception isn’t until tomorrow night, February 3 from 6-9 PM. I wish I could go, but it’s not something I want to do alone. I did my looking today, and hope I get to see what the judges decide and how much they agree with me.

I only had 45 minutes to look at the show, so I can’t give a complete report. There are many excellent entries I simply didn’t have time to photograph and get the artist information from. I will share some which immediately caught my attention, selecting some from as many different media as possible in the time I had.

The Phantom Project itself is pretty clever. It seems there aren’t enough galleries to hold all the creativity our local artists produce, so the Central Coast Sculptors and the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art are co-sponsoring this project to create ephemeral exhibits. They create functional galleries in some of the many vacant retail spaces available as they find opportunity. This show took place at 672 Higuera Street and will be open until Friday, March 2. I’m hoping the pieces I’m going to show you will tempt you to attend sometime during this month. Here is some of what I saw, in no special order. I was given permission to take and use these pictures in this blog. All pictures and artists’ work is copyrighted and all rights reside with the artists.

On the Facebook page, Janelle says of this, ” This one started out with a heart-shaped rusty mop-head that I found in an abandoned house.” Amazing!

Sara Egerer's "Manifest Destiny" - Mixed Media

Mary Ann Statler's-Sculptures, Mixed Media

I talked to Mary Ann and asked how the sculpture on the left side, “Off with Her Head” came about. She said the head had been around, wrapped up, and she finally decided it was time to do something with it. She liked the wrapped effect. She first tried the head in other surroundings, but finally was inspired to use what she had around to create this piece. Once she started, it came alive. This is the result.

John T. Jones: "Sentinel Sisters" -- A Plywood Relief

I’ve never seen plywood look as good as that above.

Barbara Radovich's "Blue Horse" of Papier Mache

Judy Uffens: "Lazy Swim" of fused glass.

Bill Kandler's "La Fontaine"- Segmented turning wood.

As you saw on the wall shots, there were some outstanding paintings. Here’s one wall I left out.

A Wall of Paintings at the First Phantom Project, San Luis Obispo

The large painting in the center is an acrylic on canvas by Alyce Broome titled “Lighthouse Peninsula.” The two paintings on the left are by Tom Soltesz. I’m afraid I didn’t get the name on the painting of the right. I somehow missed the label on it.

Paula Schroeder's "The Couple" -- Chinese Brush

I first met Paula at Day in the Shade in Templeton a couple of years ago and did a brief video interview with her in her booth. If you watch the video you will see more of her work. I’ve always liked her style, since I’m partial to Oriental art.

Jane Russell's "The Beloved" -- Oil on Board

This is another one I’d like to get the story behind, but I didn’t get to meet the artist — yet.

Lena Rushing's "You Can't Go Home Again" -- Acrylic on Canvas

If I can go by the quote, this painting was inspired by Thomas Wolfe’s novel of the same name. It was one of the most striking paintings in the show. It simply couldn’t be ignored. I will be very surprised if the judges aren’t equally arrested by it. The painting below by Robert Obion was another you couldn’t just walk by.

PENUMBRA SERIES TRIPTYCH #l,ll,lll - Acrylic on Canvas on Panel

Be sure to check out the Facebook Page linked to above for some of my other favorites I couldn’t get to here. All the artists are to be congratulated for making this an intriguing show. Thanks to the sponsors, as well, for making it possible. Don’t miss it.